A rabbinic perspective on contemporary Jewish issues with a special focus on the world of the literary.

Friday, March 18, 2016

An Open Letter to Donald Trump

March 18, 2016

Dear Mr. Trump:

We are writing to you as you prepare to address
the largest pro-Israel gathering in North America. We care deeply not only
about America's relationship with Israel, but the values and character of this
special land. We hope you will use this occasion to articulate the values that
friends of Israel hold so dear.

To begin, you should use this
opportunity to categorically repudiate racism. There is simply no place for it
in our shared discourse. As the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel
enshrined in law its commitment to protect the rights all of its inhabitants
irrespective of religion,
race or sex.
When the Jewish people returned to Israel after centuries of persecution and
exile, they chose to pursue a path of inclusivity. Rather than perpetuate
a culture of prejudice, they chose instead to create a culture of tolerance.
Freedom of worship is sacrosanct in the Holy Land and upon its founding, Israel’s
government vowed to safeguard
the holy places of all religions. You should declare in no uncertain terms that
bigotry is as dangerous as it is wrong.

We also call upon you to denounce
the language of hatred and xenophobia. There is no mitzvah in the Torah
repeated more often than the embrace of the stranger. The Jewish story is
itself the history of exiles seeking shelter; of refugees seeking asylum. And since
it became a sovereign nation, Israel has proudly stood by and supported peoples
of all backgrounds in their times of need: From Haiti to Taiwan; from Sudan to
Nepal. Jewish tradition demands that we look past what separates us and instead
keep our eyes trained on our shared humanity.

Finally, you need to reassure our
community that you understand that there can be no moral equivalency between a
sovereign government acting in self-defense on the one hand and a terrorist
organization committed to genocide on the other. The pro-Israel community is
starving for peace. The notion of shalom represents one of our greatest
aspirations – one for which we pray daily. But a lasting peace will only come
with the help of a political ally who recognizes Israel's right to self-determination.
Let your listeners know that you would never strong-arm Israel into negotiating
a peace deal when Israel has no partner for peace.

Mr. Trump: In these fraught
times, make it clear to the pro-Israel community that you stand not only with
Israel’s people, but with Israel’s principles. We cannot abide a discourse that
inflames intolerance and foments fanaticism. The future of our people is too
important.